Kotzebue, Alaska Public Records

Access to these documents is governed by the Alaska Public Records Act, which establishes transparency requirements and ensures public access to government records, including those related to arrests and law enforcement activities.

For broader information about Alaska's court system and accessing public judicial records, the Alaska Court System maintains a website at https://courts.alaska.gov/ that serves residents throughout the state, including those in this remote northwestern community.

Registration to vote can be completed online at https://voterregistration.alaska.gov/ up to 30 days before an election. The process requires an Alaska driver's license or state ID number, or the last four digits of a Social Security number. In-person registration is available at any Division of Elections office, and mail registration is also accepted. Same-day registration is offered during the early voting period, which runs from 15 days before Election Day through Election Day itself. To register locally, residents must be U.S. Citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and Alaska residents for at least 30 days. Municipal elections for mayor and city council take place on the first Tuesday in October during odd-numbered years. The next city election is scheduled for October 2025, when voters will decide the mayor's seat (a three-year term) and city council positions. Information about candidates, ballot measures, and polling locations for these municipal contests is available through the City Clerk's Office at 295 3rd Avenue (phone: 907-442-3401). Turnout for city elections typically ranges from 30-50% of registered voters. Finding your assigned polling place is straightforward using the Division of Elections' polling place lookup tool at https://www.elections.alaska.gov/vi_PP_PBL.php or by calling 907-465-4611. For municipal elections, the city typically operates one or two polling locations, often at Kotzebue Middle High School or other public buildings that can accommodate voters. Alaska's public records law makes extensive election information publicly accessible. Voter registration lists, with birth dates and driver's license numbers excluded, are available for purchase for political purposes. Campaign finance disclosures for candidates and ballot measure committees can be searched online through the Alaska Public Offices Commission at https://aws.state.ak.us/ApocReports/. Candidate filing information, including nominating petitions and financial disclosure forms, is available through the Division of Elections. After certification, precinct-level election results are published online. During the November 2024 presidential election, Northwest Arctic Borough reported approximately 1,850 ballots cast out of roughly 2,800 registered voters, achieving a turnout of approximately 66%. Alaska's ranked-choice voting system, implemented in 2022, now requires voters to rank candidates in order of preference for most races. On November 3, 2026, voters in Kotzebue and Northwest Arctic Borough will participate in Alaska's statewide general election. The ballot will include the race for Alaska's U.S. Senate seat, as Senator Lisa Murkowski's term expires in 2027 (election in 2026). The Alaska Governor's race is not scheduled for 2026 (last held in 2022, next in 2026 actually, Governor Mike Dunleavy's term). Residents will also decide state House and Senate seats representing the local district (House District 40 and Senate District T), and potentially Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly positions and local ballot measures. Specific candidates will file throughout 2026, with primary elections (if needed under Alaska's top-four system) in August 2026. Absentee and by-mail voting options are in Alaska. Any registered voter can request an absentee ballot without providing a reason. Applications are available at https://www.elections.alaska.gov/Core/absenteeandpetitionforms.php and must be received by the Division of Elections by the Saturday before Election Day (or the Thursday before for fax/electronic requests). Voted ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within 10 days (domestic) or 15 days (overseas). Early in-person voting at regional election offices begins 15 days before Election Day.